Looking Beyond the Numbers

Wayne Weber's Reflections from the NZCA Conference in Japan

Each year, the New Zealand Chartered Accountants (NZCA) Conference brings together professionals from across the country to discuss the issues shaping business, leadership and the accounting profession.

Earlier this month, Director & Chartered Accountant, Wayne Weber travelled to Japan to attend the conference along with lawyers from the NZ Law group, returning with fresh perspectives on trusts, legislation, artificial intelligence, and the wider economic challenges facing New Zealand businesses.

The issues dominating the profession

While the conference covered a broad range of topics, several themes emerged throughout the programme. Discussions centred around doing business in Japan, changes to tax legislation, legal developments surrounding trusts, and the evolving responsibilities of professional trustees.

One session in particular left a lasting impression.

"The discussion around trust legal disputes, particularly involving professional trustees and disruptive or vexatious beneficiaries, was incredibly relevant," Wayne says. "It's an area that's becoming increasingly complex and something trustees need to be aware of."

As trust legislation continues to evolve, good governance, clear documentation and proactive management remain essential for anyone involved in trusts.

What New Zealand businesses should be watching

Away from the conference sessions, conversations naturally turned to the wider economic landscape.

Wayne believes New Zealand businesses continue to face several significant challenges over the coming year, including inflationary pressures, attracting overseas investment, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty affecting oil prices, and the upcoming General Election.

"Business owners are navigating a lot of uncertainty," he says. "The election, inflation and international events all have the potential to influence confidence and investment decisions."

While many of these factors sit outside a business owner's control, Wayne believes the most successful businesses will remain focused on what they can influence.

Don't lose sight of the opportunities

Despite the challenges, Wayne sees plenty of reasons for optimism.

His advice is for business owners to stay focused on identifying opportunities within their own businesses, carefully assessing return on investment, and ensuring they keep pace with rapidly changing technology.

Artificial Intelligence was again a recurring topic throughout the conference, reinforcing the message that businesses need to continue developing their understanding and practical use of AI.

"The businesses that continue learning and adapting will put themselves in a much stronger position for the future."

Alongside AI, Wayne believes New Zealand's continued growth and tourism sector present encouraging opportunities over the coming years.

Investing in people remains essential

For Wayne, one of the biggest leadership takeaways wasn't about technology or legislation—it was about people.

"Continue to empower the team, embrace AI where it adds value, and always be looking for opportunities."

That mindset aligns closely with how Whitelaw Weber approaches business advisory. While compliance remains important, helping clients make informed decisions, embrace new opportunities and build resilient businesses is where long-term value is created.

Bringing ideas back to Whitelaw Weber

Every conference provides ideas to take back to the office.

For Wayne, one of the key priorities is continuing to strengthen Whitelaw Weber's expertise around trusts and professional trustee management, ensuring clients receive practical advice as legislation and expectations continue to evolve.

A reminder of resilience

Outside the conference programme, Wayne's most memorable experience was visiting Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Museum.

"Seeing the impact the bombing had on the city and its people was incredibly moving. To then see how Hiroshima has rebuilt into such a beautiful city was remarkable. It's somewhere I'd recommend anyone visit."

It's a powerful reminder that even after extraordinary challenges, resilience, leadership and long-term thinking can create remarkable outcomes.

As businesses continue to navigate uncertainty, those same qualities remain just as important today.